Shedd beluga Mauyak is a new mom, again

Mauyak, an experienced beluga whale mother at Shedd Aquarium, gave birth to an apparently healthy, vigorous calf this morning, just 75 minutes after going into labor.

The unnamed calf, whose gender is yet to be determined, was born at 2:42 a.m., estimated at 5 ½ feet long and weighed in at more than 100 pounds, said Ken Ramirez, vice president and head trainer at the Shedd.

Mauyak, who had three unsuccessful births before having a surviving calf at the Shedd a few years ago, had gone into labor around 1:30 a.m., Ramirez said. "We are excited and thrilled about the birth; however, a calf must reach several milestones in its first days and months," Ramirez said.

"We continue to remain cautiously optimistic as we know from experience that both in the wild and in aquariums and zoos, the first year of life has many important stages the calf and mother must pass to truly call it a success."

If the newborn survives, it will be the fourth successful beluga birth since 1999 at the Shedd's increasingly successful beluga breeding program.

Mauyak, 24, came to Shedd Aquarium on loan in 1997 from Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash. Her first surviving calf, a male named Qannik, was born at the Shedd in 2000. Earlier this year the Shedd sent Qannik, now nearing sexual maturity, to live at the Tacoma facility.